bombardier

Robert spent 10 years in the Royal Horse Artillery after signing up in 2006, working as an artilleryman firing guns and then being promoted to bombardier.

The navigator also acted as bombardier, releasing the bombs over the target.

Most did not finish pilot school and became navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, control tower operators and other support staff — all known today as Tuskegee Airmen.

His bombardier and first real friend in the service, Danny Shapiro, was later shot down on another plane and held as a prisoner of war for a year.

However, 1945 was the last time he flew bombardier for the U.S.